Prabowo Signals Full Backing for Meikarta as Subsidized Housing Push Accelerates

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto summons Housing and Settlement Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait to his private residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Thursday, Jan 29, 2026 in a gesture widely read as direct political backing for the government’s largest subsidized housing drive, centered on the Meikarta project. The move underscores presidential involvement to accelerate execution, cut red tape, and lock in delivery timelines as housing affordability becomes a flagship social priority.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said the meeting lasted more than an hour and focused on concrete steps to speed up affordable housing supply, including land readiness, permitting, and financing coordination. “The President received the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas at Hambalang on Jan 29, 2026, and discussed several matters related to housing,” Teddy said in a written statement.

According to Teddy, Prabowo reviewed progress on multiple subsidized projects, including land clearing across 30 hectares in Cikarang, Bekasi Regency, designated for vertical subsidized housing. “One of the key updates was the land clearing of 30 hectares that will be used for subsidized apartment development,” he said.

The President also received confirmation that preparations for the groundbreaking of 141,000 subsidized housing units across three adjacent zones had been completed. “The plan for the groundbreaking of 141,000 subsidized housing units spread across three nearby areas has been finalized,” Teddy said.

Officials stressed the strategic location of the sites, citing proximity to schools, hospitals, offices, factories, and major roads to ensure livability and reduce commuting costs for workers. “The locations are close to urban centers and public facilities, which is critical for the beneficiaries,” Teddy said.

The scale of the project is expected to deliver immediate economic spillovers, with employment absorption projected at around 80,000 workers across construction and supporting sectors. “With this development, around 80,000 jobs are expected to be absorbed, accelerating the circulation of the local economy,” Teddy said.

Prabowo, through Minister Maruarar, reiterated his commitment to broaden access to decent and affordable housing by simplifying permits and slashing administrative costs. “The President wants as many Indonesians as possible to own decent and affordable homes, including through subsidized housing and the trimming of permits and administrative fees,” Teddy said.

That directive aligns with the Meikarta roadmap, where the government and developers have set clear milestones from land clearing to foundation works and vertical construction within 2026. Maruarar previously outlined the schedule, saying, “We are clearing the land today, installing foundation pillars on March 8, 2026, and building upward by Aug 17, 2026, so we have a clear roadmap.”

At Meikarta, the project envisions 141,000 subsidized apartment units across three 10-hectare clusters, totaling 54 towers, with an estimated investment of Rp 39 trillion outside land costs. The development sits on assets of Lippo Cikarang Tbk, integrating residential towers with social facilities, retail areas, clinics, places of worship, security posts, and green open spaces.

Industry executives say the President’s personal engagement sends a powerful signal to regulators, financiers, and developers to align behind delivery rather than delay. By convening the housing minister at Hambalang, Prabowo has placed his political weight behind Meikarta as a proof point for large-scale, fast-tracked subsidized housing. The gesture reinforces a governing style that ties flagship social programs to direct presidential oversight to ensure results reach households on the ground.